The announcement of a new baby coming sends most knitters rushing to pattern books and searching for needles and yarn. It is a delight to knit for infants. The projects are adorable simply because they’re small. I just have to smile as a little sweater takes shape on my needles. But I understand the newest knitters among us may be shaking their heads.
Not me, I could never knit a baby gift.
Tiny sweaters on toothpick-size needles? No way!
A whole blanket? Help, I’d never finish.
Sweaters and blankets require expertise that seems daunting for a new knitter. But there is another way to show some knitted love: cotton washcloths. Picture that tiny newborn splashing in their first bath, held lovingly by mom or tenderly by dad. Mild soap, warm water, and a washcloth hand-knit for the occasion.
Any new knitter can make a sweet little cloth to wash a brand new babe. You can have the thrill of picking out great yarn: a washable worsted-weight cotton. You can select needles: U.S. size eight or nine will do. And the pattern?? Well that’s easy, too. Cast on thirty stitches and knit every row till your piece looks square then bind off. Ta-da! A washcloth. This is faster than any scarf you have practiced on. Make a few cloths, and you have a gift knit with love. And if you want to stretch your skill level, try the pattern below for a basis dishcloth. This one is fashioned smaller for washing tiny new fingers and toes.
Share some knitted love today. Think about making some extras as Christmas gifts. After all, everyone needs a clean face in the morning.
Materials
Worsted weight washable cotton 1 ball (50 grams)
US 8 or 9 needles (straight or circular)
PatternÂ
Cast on 4 stitches
Knit one row
Increasing row: Knit 2, Yarn over, Knit to the end of the row. You have increased one stitch.
Repeat the increasing row until you have 40 stitches on the needle.
Next row (decreasing row): Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Yarn over, Knit 2 together, Knit to the end of the row. You have decreased one stitch.
Repeat decreasing row until you have 4 stitches left and bind off.
Weave in the ends.
Lisa Bogart. Lisa is a movie-loving, book-reading, sweater-knitting, cookie-baking, world-traveling woman. She is also the author of Knit With Love, Stories to Warm a Knitters Heart. She won the Guideposts Writers Workshop in 2010. These days Lisa works part time at Piedmont Yarn in Oakland, CA. And she loves nothing better than writing all morning, knitting all afternoon, and watching a movie with hubby in the evening. You can find Lisa online at LisaBogart.com.
Other button size options
Knitted washcloths were the second project I made when I was first learning to knit! My mom actually had me start with knitting mittens for my dad. I was in kindergarten, so the mittens weren’t the prettiest things in the world. But they were made with love, which is what really matters when it comes to things like knitting, sewing, crocheting, quilting, etc.
My mother has knitted forever – she is now almost 89 years old and can no longer see to knit what she used to. But she knits washcloths and bibs to her heart’s content! She makes them for everyone she knows and has even designed an “adult bib” for her aging friends
I’m a life-long knitter having learned in 4-H at the age of 9. Recently I taught some of my Amish neighbor girls to knit. I started them out on this very dishcloth pattern and one made hers huge, made a 2nd to match, and turned them into a pillow for the couch. Creative!
Knit, crochet, and about to embark on learning Tunisian crochet (plus I quilt and sew, too.) So delightful to make homemade gifts for Christmas or weddings.
I learned when I was in 4-H around the age of 8, which means I’ve been crocheting and sewing for more than two decades! 
I love knitted and crocheted washcloths! Sadly, I am quite knitting impaired, although I can crochet!